Wicked
The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
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Wicked
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Narrated by:
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John McDonough
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By:
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Gregory Maguire
About this listen
Elphaba is born with green skin, a precocious mind, and a talent for magic. An outcast throughout her childhood in Munchkinland, she finally begins to feel as though she fits in when she enters the University in the Emerald City. While she hones her skills, she discovers that Oz isn't the Utopia it seems. She sets out to protect its unwanted creatures, becoming known as the Wicked Witch along the way.
Narrator John McDonough draws you in to Maguire's magical world of witches and talking animals, making it possible to believe in a land somewhere over the rainbow.
©1995 Gregory Maguire (P)2000 Recorded Books, LLCListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"McDonough's excellent portrayals of Elphaba's outspoken, gravel-voiced nanny, Glinda's snobbish friends, and the wide-eyed, soft-spoken Dorothy make this excursion to Oz worthwhile." ( Publishers Weekly)
What listeners say about Wicked
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Jo S
- 22-09-24
Weird & indulgent
I stuck with this, thinking it might improve. Alas, no… it was so self indulgent at times and pompous. Certain elements were obscure and disjointed and so difficult to follow the narrative. Also it was almost impossible to feel any connection with the characters. I think it may have helped to have been narrated by a female voice rather than the ponderous way this was delivered.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- mimi
- 01-07-22
Still one of my absolute faves.
I've listened more times than I can remember now and each time I spot something I've missed. the narration is fab. the storyline speaks to my soul. Just brilliant 👏
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JB
- 28-10-24
A beautiful imagination that leaves further intrigue
Such a beautiful retelling, a perspective even, that leaves the listener/reader asking more questions to no answers. I look forward to hearing the rest of the series!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 27-03-21
great story
much darker than the musical but it was extremely enjoyable and i would recommend it
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jaguar Ryley Wilde
- 07-11-22
Disregard what others say about the narration
John McDonough does a fantastic job of not only the narration but also the depth and variances of each character. Galinda/Glinda sounds vastly different to Elphaba. Boq and Fieyero are easy to tell apart etc.
The book itself is of course brilliantly written. If you enjoy the show, you’ll love the book although be warned there are plenty of differences and is a lot darker (I’d recommend doing research on potential triggers if you’re so affected) but if you’re prepared for a darker story with so much depth and lore into the “wonderful” world of Oz, then pick this title up.
I would recommend this book to anybody interested in fantasy although I would also venture to say that anybody interested in politics, semantics, philosophy or even religious arguments would enjoy this title as it has very interesting views on matters that can easily be translated into our own, slightly less magical, lives
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mark Channing
- 15-09-22
So slow. So long
Having seen the musical multiple times I decided to read the source text. At first it was fascinating the differences and extension to the story universe. But after getting ⅓ of the way through it still feels like the story is yet to start. It’s verbose and the narration is a drudge. Such a shame. It’s a book I want to have read, not one I want to read.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Mrs A H Wheatley
- 10-05-23
Overall it’s a good story
It’s a good story. However it is a little slow in places. The narrative is good. It’s interesting to hear the story behind the musical.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- J. Wexler
- 15-01-24
Relly good writing and carachter development
Bizarre gaps, the protagonists last chapter sudden derangement (ummm like Game of Thrones). Without spoiling, iMagine the witch descending on her broom to confront Dorothy then...She is waking from a hangover. Sorry thats a cheap cheat. The final ending results in the witches encounter with the film version bucket of water. but only after acting like a complete lunatic...this from the most rational carachter in the story. I was hoping for a better finish, the book is exceptional otherwise, truly so.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna
- 08-06-24
Powerful and Moving
I didn't realise before reading this how closely racism and civil rights were going to be explored in this. Its really interesting how this is tired into the narrative.
I also love the mix of characters in age, race and background, surprisingly diverse. There are also hints and some or prominent mentions of LGBT+ characters/relationships/acts. This again is surprisingly. But to me at least this fits well and doesn't seem forced or out of place.
There is some brilliant world building and the way different creation myths are explored is really interesting. For a story with a lot of characters it doesn't feel overcrowded and for me at least it was fairly easy to keep track of them. I like how having been introduced and having built an emotional attachment to certain characters in the early chapters. We then jump forward serveral years and only learn of the fate of these characters in a very off hand way. This was extremely powerful and moving.
On a different note I was surprised by how much sex and reference to sex there was in this book. It also uses some interesting menaphors and positions. Again not what I was expecting. This is definitely not a children's book.
There is just so much packed into this book. But another thing I must mention is the was religion is portrayed in this. It is approached from so many different angles and view points. It's really interesting.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jemma McGregor
- 12-12-23
Interesting, quite shocking, and insightful. (Not for children.)
I loved that this is the original version of the story.
The first time I read it, it was not what I was expecting. I did not like it at all. I felt the language very crude and the character of Elphaba hard to like. I had wanted to read this with my children and quickly realised from the get go how inappropriate that would be. There are a lot of sexual references.
On reflection the second time it made a lot more sense as to where the characters and story for Wicked the musical came from. I was able to understand, appreciate and actually like the characters more. The back story was more detailed and insightful. Especially about the political events involved.
I enjoyed the historic events and now appreciate the differences to the musical.
It is a total contrast to the Disney movie Wizard or Oz and the happy go lucky sentimental, feel good musical of Wicked.
It was well read and overall of you are a wicked or wizard of oz fan this is a must read.
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